The disclosed technology describes methods and apparatus to convert and control power provided to a precipitator. An example embodiment of the disclosed technology includes a method for providing power to a device. The method includes receiving a first silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) signal and a second SCR signal from a controller device, generating a demand signal by the controller device based on a comparison of the first and second SCR signals, transmitting the demand signal to a power converter device, converting a first power signal from a first base frequency to a second power signal at a second base frequency, wherein the first base frequency is in the range of approximately 50 Hz to approximately 60 Hz and wherein the second base frequency is controlled in the range of approximately 100 Hz to approximately 1000 Hz, and switching the second power signal to the controller device.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A method of providing power to a device comprising: receiving a first silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) signal and a second SCR signal from a controller device; generating a demand signal by the controller device based on a comparison of the first and second SCR signals; transmitting the demand signal to a power converter device; converting a first power signal from a first base frequency to a second power signal at a second base frequency, wherein the first base frequency is in the range of approximately 50 Hz to approximately 60 Hz and wherein the second base frequency is controlled in the range of approximately 100 Hz to approximately 1000 Hz; and switching the second power signal to the controller device.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising automatically controlling the second base frequency.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein automatically controlling the second base frequency is based at least in part on a voltage drop signal.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein switching comprises pulse width modulation (PWM) at the second base frequency.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein switching comprises quasi-amplitude modulation utilizing PWM within signals associated with the second base frequency, and wherein the PWM frequency is higher than the second base frequency.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the PWM frequency is in a range of 4 to 16 times the second base frequency.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein switching the second power signal to the controller device comprises automatically selecting a switching mode, wherein a first switching mode comprises PWM at the second base frequency and a second switching mode comprises quasi-amplitude modulation utilizing PWM within signals associated with the second base frequency, and wherein the PWM frequency is higher than the second base frequency.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the switching mode is automatically selected based at least in part on a voltage drop signal.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first switching mode is automatically selected for second base frequencies greater than 400 Hz, and the second switching mode is automatically selected for second base frequencies less than or equal to 400 Hz.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising enabling the demand signal to actuate an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) system.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein enabling the demand signal to actuate the IGBT system comprises converting the demand signal to a voltage level capable of driving the IGBT system.
12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising monitoring a spark detection signal and ceasing to generate a demand signal when the spark detection signal is present.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising monitoring a phase fail detector signal and ceasing to generate a demand signal when the phase fail signal is present.
14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating an output from the IGBT system to a transformer rectifier set.
15. A system comprising: a precipitator power frequency converter system including: an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) system; a converter control system comprising a microprocessor in communication with the IGBT system; and a rectifier set in communication with the IGBT system; wherein the microprocessor is configured to receive a first silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) signal and a second SCR signal from a transformer rectifier control device, and wherein the microprocessor is further configured for generating a switching signal to actuate the IGBT system based at least in part on a comparison of the first SCR signal and the second SCR signal; and wherein an input power is received by the precipitator power frequency converter system in a first base frequency range of approximately 50 Hz to 60 Hz and the precipitator power frequency converter system is enabled to selectively provide an output power in a second base frequency controlled in a range between 100 Hz and 1000 Hz.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the second base frequency is automatically controlled based at least in part on a voltage drop signal; and wherein generating the switching signal to actuate the IGBT system comprises generating pulse width modulation (PWM) at the second base frequency.
17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the second base frequency is automatically controlled based at least in part on a voltage drop signal; and wherein generating the switching signal to actuate the insulated-gate bipolar transistor IGBT system comprises generating quasi-amplitude modulation utilizing PWM within signals associated with the second base frequency, and wherein the PWM frequency is higher than the second base frequency.
18. The system of claim 15 , wherein generating the switching signal to actuate the insulated-gate bipolar transistor IGBT system comprises automatically selecting a switching mode, wherein a first switching mode comprises PWM at the second base frequency and a second switching mode comprises quasi-amplitude modulation utilizing PWM within signals associated with the second base frequency, and wherein the PWM frequency is higher than the second base frequency.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the first switching mode is automatically selected for second base frequencies greater than 400 Hz, and the second switching mode is automatically selected for second base frequencies less than or equal to 400 Hz.
20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the microprocessor is further configured to: receive a phase fail detection signal indicating a deficiency in the power source; receive a spark detection signal indicating a spark in an electrostatic precipitator; and modify the switching signal to actuate IGBT system based at least in part on one or more of the phase fail detection signal and the spark detection signal.
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December 14, 2012
August 5, 2014
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